Ingestible device with pharmaceutical product

ABSTRACT

A system and a manufacturing process are disclosed in accordance with the present invention that protect an electronic device and allows for placement or combination of the device within a pharmaceutical product or capsule. The system includes circuitry and components that can be placed within certain environments. The device includes an assembly including an electronic unit, a flexible membrane secured to the unit, and a protective coating.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to International Application No. PCT/US2011/061478 filed Nov. 18, 2011, which application, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119 (e), claims priority to the filing date of United States Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/416,150 entitled INGESTIBLE DEVICE WITH PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT filed Nov. 22, 2010, the disclosure of which applications are herein incorporated by reference.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and incorporates the following applications by reference: U.S. application Ser. No. 12/447,172 filed on Oct. 25, 2007 and titled CONTROLLED ACTIVATION INGESTIBLE IDENTIFIER; U.S. Provisional Application 60/862,925 filed on Oct. 25, 2006 and titled CONTROLLED ACTIVATION PHARMA-INFORMATICS SYSTEM; PCT Application US2007/82563 and filed on Oct. 25, 2007 and titled CONTROLLED ACTIVATION INGESTIBLE IDENTIFIER.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to electronic devices and, more specifically, to electronic devices with a particle power source that are secured to a pharmaceutical product.

BACKGROUND

Capsules are made of a material that becomes gel-like once in contact with fluids. Such gel-like materials can interfere with the operation of an ingestible device, which is carried inside the capsule, with dissolvable components and electronic components. For example, gelatinous materials have low conductivity and, hence, if the device operates using conduction through fluids, then it will not operate properly. Thus, it is important to prevent the gel-like material of the capsule, as it is dissolving, from coming into contact with the device's components.

Additionally, capsules contain pharmaceutical materials that can interact with or damage the device during long term storage. For example, the product inside the capsule may be acidic and harmful to the electronic components. Alternatively, the content may be too basic, which can also harm the electronics. Furthermore, the material or product within the capsule will start to interact with the surrounding fluids, once the capsule is ingested and the capsule starts to disintegrate. The content of the capsule may include material, such as a drug or excipient or compound, that when dissolved at high concentrations, will interfere with the operation of the ingested device placed within the same capsule. As the material enters the solution at the site where the capsule is dissolving, there is a high concentration localized around the device. The stomach motion and diffusion disperses the capsule content throughout the stomach and reduces the concentration. During this time, the device will not operate properly if activated in the localized high concentration areas. Thus, the activation of the device needs to be delayed and the device should be protected from the capsule dissolving or disintegrating.

Thus, the devices need to be protected from the surrounding environment, including the content of the capsule as well as moisture. Furthermore, a manufacturing solution is needed to allow for manufacturing of these devices and placement of same within a capsule in such a manner that does not damage the device. Therefore, what is needed is suitable system and manufacturing process that protects the devices.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure includes a system and a manufacturing process that protects the device and allows for placement or combination of the device within a pharmaceutical product or capsule. The system includes circuitry and components that can be placed within certain environments. The device includes an assembly including an electronic unit, a flexible membrane secured to the unit, and a protective coating.

Notwithstanding the claims, the present invention is also defined by the following clauses.

Clause 1: A process for creating a pharmaceutical product, the process comprising the steps of:

-   creating a device sheet including a plurality of devices; -   securing an upper sheet to one side of the device sheet to produce a     partially coated device sheet; -   securing a lower sheet to another side of the partially coated     device sheet, to produce a protected device sheet, wherein the upper     sheet and the lower sheet form a protective layer; -   separating a protected device from the protected device sheet; and -   combining the protected device with a pharmaceutical agent to     produce the pharmaceutical product.

Clause 2: The process of clause 1, wherein the device sheet defines a plurality of holes surrounding each device.

Clause 3: The process of clause 2, wherein the step of securing the lower sheet to another side of the partially coated device sheet includes the step of heating the lower sheet and the upper sheet such that the lower sheet comes into contact with the upper sheet through the holes, the lower sheet surrounding each device and the upper sheet and lower sheet secured to one another at the point of the contact.

Clause 4: The process of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the step of separating includes the steps of:

-   aligning the protected device sheet with an opening defined within a     die such that the protected device is aligned with the opening of     the die; and -   punching the protected device using a punch through the opening and     into a capsule placed within a capsule holder.

Clause 5: The process of any of preceding clauses, wherein the step of separating includes the steps of:

-   aligning the protected device sheet with an opening defined by a     tray such that the protected device of the protected device sheet is     aligned with the opening of the tray; -   separating the protected device from the protected device sheet     using a punch; and -   placing the protected device into the opening of the tray.

Clause 6: The process of clause 5, further comprising the step of aligning the opening of the tray that comprises the protected device with a capsule holder that defines a plurality of cavities that hold a first end of a capsule, wherein the capsule includes the first end and a second end.

Clause 7: The process of clause 6, further comprising the step of pushing the protected device out of the opening of the tray and into the first end of the capsule placed within the cavity of the capsule holder.

Clause 8: The process of clause 7, wherein the step of combining includes the steps of:

-   -   filling the first end of the capsule that includes the protected         device with a pharmaceutical product; and     -   securing the second end of the capsule to the first end of the         capsule.

Clause 9: A device for placement within a capsule, the device comprising:

-   an assembly including:     -   a unit to encode information in a current signature, the unit         comprising a partial power source; and     -   a flexible membrane secured to the unit, wherein the membrane         engages the capsule's wall and holds the device in place within         the capsule.

Clause 10: The device of clause 9, further comprising a protective coating surrounding the assembly.

Clause 11: The device of clause 9 or 10, further comprising a first protective sheet secured to an upper surface of the assembly and a second protective sheet secured to a lower surface of the assembly.

Clause 12: The device of clause 11, wherein the first protective sheet and the second protective sheet are secured to each other through a plurality of holes defined by the flexible membrane.

Clause 13: The device of clause 11 or 12, wherein the first protective sheet and the second protective sheet are secured to each other at the edge of the assembly and extend beyond the perimeter of the assembly such that the assembly is enclosed within the protective sheets.

Clause 14: The device of any of clauses 9-13, wherein the unit includes:

-   a first material secured to a support structure; and -   a second material secured to the support structure and electrically     isolated from the first material, such that the first material and     second material represent a chemical voltage potential when in     contact with a conducting fluid.

Clause 15: The device of clause 14, wherein the support structure comprises a control module electrically connected to the first material and the second material to control the conductance between the first material and the second material, wherein the control module encodes the information in the current signature by altering the conductance.

Clause 16: The device of any of clauses 9-15, wherein the flexible membrane includes a plurality of legs that engage the capsule's wall when the assembly is pressed into the capsule.

Clause 17: The device of any of clauses 9-16, wherein the flexible membrane includes a plurality of extensions shaped to fit within the capsule and hold the assembly in place.

Clause 18: A pharmaceutical product comprising:

-   a capsule having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the upper and     lower ends are brought together to form a housing that defines a     cavity and wherein the cavity is filled with a drug, the capsule     configured to disintegrate when in contact with a surrounding fluid;     and -   an ingestible device associated with the capsule, preferably a     device according to any of the clauses 9-17, to encode information     in a current signature, wherein the ingestible device is placed     within the housing, wherein the ingestible device includes     electronic components that are surrounded by a protective layer,     wherein the protective layer is configured to begin to disintegrate     after the capsule has disintegrated and has exposed the content of     the capsule to the surrounding fluids.

Clause 19: The product of clause 18, further comprising a flexible membrane that is secured to the ingestible device to produce an assembly wherein the flexible membrane positions the assembly within the capsule.

Clause 20: The product of clause 19, further comprising a first protective sheet secured to an upper surface of the assembly and a second protective sheet secured to a lower surface of the assembly, wherein the first protective sheet and the second protective sheet are secured to each other and surround the assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a capsule with a laminated device inside the capsule.

FIG. 2A shows a capsule with a table inside the capsule and the tablet includes a covered device.

FIG. 2B shows a capsule with a table inside the capsule and the tablet includes a device.

FIG. 3 shows a capsule with a covered device inside one portion of the capsule.

FIG. 4A shows an example of a device that can be used in the capsule of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4B shows another example of a device that can be used in a capsule end for FIG. 3 with a specific designed capsule end to mechanically hold the device in place.

FIG. 5 shows a device with a cover secured onto a tablet and the tablet placed inside a capsule.

FIG. 6 shows the process of laminating or covering the device.

FIG. 7 shows a closer view of the assembly pieces of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows a process of inserting a device within a capsule end in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows an advanced stage of the process of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a transfer tray.

FIG. 11 shows an initial stage of the process of inserting a device within a capsule end in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows the device of FIG. 11 within the transfer tray of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 shows an advanced stage of the process of FIG. 11 in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows an advanced stage of the process of FIG. 13 in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention discloses multiple approaches to protecting a device from the harmful effects of a capsule and the content of the capsule when the device is placed within the capsule. The present invention also discloses multiple approaches to securing the device within the capsule that contains the product. The scope of the present invention is not limited by the type of product within the capsule. For example, the product can be a capsule, a time-release oral dosage, a powder, a gel, a sub-lingual tablet or any oral dosage product. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the capsule has the device positioned inside or secured to the interior. In an alternative arrangement, the device is secured to the exterior of the capsule or as part of the capsule wall.

In accordance with the teachings of the present, in some embodiments, the device is placed within the capsule. In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, the device is secured with the capsule. Various methods of securing the device to the capsule are disclosed. For example, the device may be secured to the capsule using ingestible glues, pressure sensitive adhesives, thermal adhesives, mechanically attached, secured to a band that is later placed around the product.

In addition to the methods used to secure the device to the product, there are various methods of coating or laminating the device, surrounding the device, or separating and isolating the device from the drug or product within the capsule to prevent a reaction between the device and the drug or product. For example, certain products contain acids that can damage the device, such as tartaric acid. Additionally, there are times when the device, upon activation may interact with the product or drug when the device is activated too quickly. Thus, as discussed in detail below, there are various lamination and packaging options that may be used in association with the device to prevent such problems.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an ingestible device 20 is shown with a layer 20 a surrounding electronics 20 b. The layer 20 a is soluble and a disintegrating layer of material around the electronics 20 b. The layer 20 a delays the exposure of the electronics 20 b to surrounding fluids. The device 20 is placed inside the capsule 22, which also contains a pharmaceutical product or drug. The capsule 22 has a bottom end 22 a and a top end 22 b. The capsule 22 is made of a dissolvable material, such as gelatin. Upon ingestion, the capsule 22 walls turn into a gel-like material, due to contact with fluids. The layer 20 a prevents contact between the gel-like material of the capsule 22 and the electronics 20 b until the gel-like material has dissolved and no longer interferes with the operation of the device 20. During the time the capsule 22 is dissolving, the layer 20 a is also slowly disintegrating away to allow the electronics 20 b to come into contact with the fluids and become activated. One example of the type of electronic components that are part of the device 20 is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/564,017 filed on Sep. 21, 2009, which issued on Jul. 12, 2011 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,978,064 and is entitled COMMUNICATION SYSTEM WITH PARTIAL POWER SOURCE, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The capsule 22, in all instances described herein is intended to carry a drug and includes a drug product in addition to the device.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the capsule 22 is shown with a device 24 inside the capsule. The device 24 includes a disintegrating film or material 24 a and components and electronics 24 b. In accordance with one embodiment, the device 24 has a laminated coating as shown in FIG. 2A. In accordance with another embodiment, the device 24 has is surrounded by the material 24 a as shown in FIG. 2B. As the capsule 22 is ingested, the capsule ends 22 a and 22 b disintegrate or dissolve. The content of the capsule 22 comes into contact with the surrounding fluids. The material 24 a reacts with the fluids to prevent the gel-like material of the capsule 22 from coming into contact with the electronics 24 b as discussed with respect to FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the capsule 22 is shown with a device 26 positioned within the capsule end 22 b in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. The device 26 is held in position inside the capsule end 22 b using friction or by a mechanical means as will be discussed with respect to FIG. 4A and 4B, respectively. In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, the device 26 may be covered in a manner similar to the device 20 or the device 24 of FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A and 2B, respectively. For example, the device 26 may include a layer or lamination material or the device 26 may include a disintegration material. As noted, the device 26 is held in position using friction or mechanical attachment.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the device 26 includes tabs or legs 28 and electronics 26 b. The legs 28 are flexible and as the device 26 is pushed into the capsule end 22 b, the friction between the legs 28 and the wall of the capsule end 22 b hold the device 26 in place. As the capsule 22 dissolves, the walls of the capsule end 22 b change shape or collapse causing the friction between the legs 28 and walls of the capsule end 22 b to reduce and thereby allow the device 26 to be released from the capsule end 22 b.

Referring now to FIG. 4B, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the device 26 a includes tabs or legs 30 and electronics 26 b. The legs 30 are used to secure the device 26 a into a capsule end 22 c. The capsule end 22 b of FIG. 3 is replaced with the capsule end 22 c. The capsule end 22 c includes a matching number of slots or indentations 32 to the legs 30 of the device 26 a. In an alternative aspect of the present invention, the number of legs 30 may differ from the number of slots 32. As the device 26 a is pressed inside the capsule end 22 c, the tabs 30 engage the slots 32 and lock the device 26 a into place mechanically. As the capsule end 22 c dissolves, the walls of the capsule end 22 c change shape or collapse causing the device 26 a to be released from the capsule end 22 c.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the capsule 22 is shown with device 34 in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. The device 34 includes a material 34 a to which is secured electronics 34 b, similar to the electronics 24 b, and a layer or covering 34 c.

Referring now to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, a process for creating a device with a covering or lamination is shown in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. Devices 40 are shown on a sheet 41 that is placed between a top lamination sheet 42 a and a bottom lamination sheet 42 b. The sheets 42 a and 42 b may be made of a variety of materials or films, such as polymer films that include polyethylene oxide, hydroxyprpyl cellulose, and triethyl citrate. Other films that can be used include any solulable polymer, plasticizer. The film provides a moisture barrier and dissolves under the proper conditions to delay activation of the device. The film layer is designed to provide sufficient delay in exposure of the device to the surrounding fluids relative to the disintegration and dispersion of the capsule material and the content of the capsule. The film layer may includes the soluble materials, barrier materials (such as lipids, polyvinyl alcohol), processing aids (such as plasticizers, adhesion promoters), and stabilizers. Furthermore, the film layer may be manufactured via lamination, application of a coating solution or slurry followed by a cure. In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, the film or layer may be similar to FIG. 2 and formed using dry compression, such as a tablet press.

There are a variety of active agents or pharmaceutical products that can be placed inside of a capsule. For example, there are FDA approved drugs, drugs that are disclosed chemically in a patent application or in an issued patent, there are drugs are disclosed in the Orange Book as part of the approved drug products, and generics. In accordance with the teachings of the present inventions, any one or combination of such drugs may be placed within the capsule along with the device. Each of those drugs will have a specific and unique impact on the operation of the device as well as the disintegration of the film used because of the unique chemical composition. As such, the type of material uses as the film layer will vary to be compatible to the chemical composition of the products used. Thus, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the type of content of the capsule and the film or coating layer around the electronic components of the device.

In accordance with another aspect and benefit of the present invention, the film or coating will also prevent the interaction components of the device with the drug inside the capsule and as such the device will not alter or impact the effectiveness of the drug.

As shown in FIG. 7, one example of the device 40 includes a skirt 40 a with a plurality of holes 44 and electronics 40 b. As the sheets 42 a and 42 b are subject to heating or pressure, then the sheets 42 a and 42 b are secured to each other through the holes 44 and the device 40 is securely held between the sheets 42 a and 42 b. As shown in FIG. 7, the device 40 is laminated between the sheets 42 a and 42 b. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the sheets 42 a and 42 b may have the portions for each device 40 punched, cut-out, or removed first and then positioned above and below the device 40. The portions are cut to be oversized. Thus, as the portions of the sheets 42 a and 42 b are exposed to heat or pressure, then the oversized portions at the edges are secured to each other forming a pocket that surrounds the device 40 as well as secured to in place through the holes 44 as noted above. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the holes 44 may be eliminated when the device is placed between the oversized portions and secured within a pocket that surrounds the device 40.

Referring now to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a laminated device sheet 50 is positioned above a die 52 with a hole 52 a in the die 52. Even though only one hole 52 a is shown, it will be understood by those skilled in art that the die may include multiple holes and the example discussed with respect one, may be repeated for many. The hole 52 a of the die 52 is positioned above a capsule holder 54 that contains a capsule end 56. As the sheet 50 is positioned above the hole 52 a, a punch 58 is used to cut the device 50 a out of the sheet 50 and insert the device 50 a into the capsule end 56. As noted above in accordance with various aspects of the present invention, the device 50 a can have a variety of shapes and those shapes can be created by the punch 58.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-14, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the device 40 of FIG. 6 may be punched out and placed inside a hole 62 a of a transfer tray 62. The tray 62 is shown in FIG. 10 with a plurality of holes. As shown in FIG. 11, the tray 62 is positioned below a sheet of devices, such as the sheet 50 of FIG. 8. A punch blade 64 cuts a device 66 from the sheet of devices and inserts the device 66 into the hole 62 a. The device 66 is held in place in the hole 62 with friction as shown in FIG. 12. The tray 62 is then advanced to the next step of the process and a punch press 70 pushes the device 66 into a capsule end 72 held within a capsule holder 74 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

As noted above various disintegration materials may be used to surround the electronic components. For example, a disintegrant may be sodium starch glycolate or a water soluble excipient such as hydroxypropyl cellulose. It will also be apparent that the various layers disclosed can be eliminated or combined depending on the material employed and the properties thereof.

As described herein, a system of the present invention is used with a conducting fluid to indicate the event marked by contact between the conducting fluid and the system. For example, the system of the present disclosure may be used with a pharmaceutical product and the event that is indicated is when the product is taken or ingested. The term “ingested” or “ingest” or “ingesting” is understood to mean any introduction of the system internal to the in-vivo. For example, ingesting includes simply placing the system in the mouth all the way to the descending colon. Thus, the term ingesting refers to any instant in time when the system is introduced to an environment that contains a conducting fluid. Another example would be a situation when a non-conducting fluid is mixed with a conducting fluid. In such a situation the system would be present in the non-conduction fluid and when the two fluids are mixed, the system comes into contact with the conducting fluid and the system is activated. Yet another example would be the situation when the presence of certain conducting fluids needed to be detected. In such instances, the presence of the system, which would be activated, within the conducting fluid could be detected and, hence, the presence of the respective fluid would be detected.

It is noted that, as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation.

As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. Any recited method can be carried out in the order of events recited or in any other order which is logically possible.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of this invention that certain changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

Accordingly, the preceding merely illustrates the principles of the invention. It will be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples and conditional language recited herein are principally intended to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventors to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents and equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is not intended to be limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Rather, the scope and spirit of present invention is embodied by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for creating a pharmaceutical product, the process comprising the steps of: creating a device sheet including a plurality of devices; securing an upper sheet to one side of the device sheet to produce a partially coated device sheet; securing a lower sheet to another side of the partially coated device sheet, to produce a protected device sheet, wherein the upper sheet and the lower sheet form a protective layer; separating a protected device from the protected device sheet; and combining the protected device with a pharmaceutical agent to produce the pharmaceutical product.
 2. The process of claim 1, wherein the device sheet defines a plurality of holes surrounding each device.
 3. The process of claim 2, wherein the step of securing the lower sheet to another side of the partially coated device sheet includes the step of heating the lower sheet and the upper sheet such that the lower sheet comes into contact with the upper sheet through the holes, the lower sheet surrounding each device and the upper sheet and the lower sheet are secured to one another at the point of the contact.
 4. The process of claim 1, wherein the step of separating includes the steps of: aligning the protected device sheet with an opening defined within a die such that the protected device is aligned with the opening of the die; and punching the protected device using a punch through the opening and into a capsule placed within a capsule holder.
 5. The process of claim 1, wherein the step of separating includes the steps of: aligning the protected device sheet with an opening defined by a tray such that the protected device of the protected device sheet is aligned with the opening of the tray; separating the protected device from the protected device sheet using a punch; and placing the protected device into the opening of the tray.
 6. The process of claim 5 further comprising the step of aligning the opening of the tray that includes the protected device with a capsule holder that defines a plurality of cavities that hold a first end of a capsule, wherein the capsule comprises the first end and a second end.
 7. The process of claim 6 further comprising the step of pushing the protected device out of the opening of the tray and into the first end of the capsule placed within the cavity of the capsule holder.
 8. The process of claim 7, wherein the step of combining includes the steps of: filling the first end of the capsule that includes the protected device with a pharmaceutical product; and securing the second end of the capsule to the first end of the capsule. 